A Minor Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A, C, E, G, B, F#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M
Formula: WH-2W-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: m13, -13
The A Minor Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (A, C, E, G, B, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the A Minor Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a A Minor Thirteenth chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The A Minor Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (A, C, E, G, B, F#) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play A Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your A Minor Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 5 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at open position using open A string. With 6 notes, this extended arpeggio covers a wide range. Break it into smaller two- or three-string groups and connect them gradually. Tapping can also help cover the extra reach needed.
The A Minor Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a A minor chord and fits naturally over Am, Am7, Am6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Play the A Minor Thirteenth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on A. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (A, C, E, G, B, F#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the A Minor Thirteenth arpeggio using sweep picking across all six strings. Start with downstrokes ascending and upstrokes descending at a slow tempo, keeping each note separated rather than blurred. Mute unused strings with your fretting hand to keep the sound clean.
Related Resources
Explore A Minor Thirteenth in Other Tunings
- A Minor Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Minor Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Minor Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Minor Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Minor Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)